Working Families Champion Heads to California Labor Federation after Distinguished Service in the Legislature

SACRAMENTO — California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Jan. 3, announced her intention to become the next chief executive of California Labor Federation, a move that allows her to continue her dedicated service to the state’s working families but that closes the chapter on her work as an Assemblywoman and the Legislature’s longest-serving Appropriations Committee chair.

In a statement to her Assembly colleagues, Gonzalez said she looks forward to continuing her efforts to empower the working people of the state by returning to the Labor Movement after more than eight years of service to the 80th District in southern San Diego County. Gonzalez will be preparing to lead the 2.1 million-member State Federation as its Executive Secretary-Treasurer in July 2022 following her resignation from the Assembly, which took effect at the close of business on Jan. 5.

Gonzalez’s hiring at the State Fed comes in anticipation of Art Pulaski’s retirement in July 2022 as executive secretary-treasurer, a post he has held since 1996. The California Labor Federation represents 2.1 million members of 1,200 manufacturing, transportation, construction, service and public sector unions in electoral campaigns, legislative advocacy, and grassroots organizing.

Prior to being elected to the Assembly, Gonzalez was a labor leader, attorney, and organizer, serving as the first woman and first person of color to be elected CEO and secretary-treasurer for the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Gonzalez also previously worked as the senior advisor to California’s Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante and she served on the California State Lands Commission and the California Coastal Commission.